Even though "bonzai" is the Japanese word, it originally came from the Chinese word "punsai", which means "tree in a pot". It can also be a shrub or a vine and not just trees. The growing of bonzai trees was a Chinese practice that was brought to Japan some 5 centuries ago where it was transformed as an art form.
The West came to know of it only in the early 1900s and since then, it became not only a favorite hobby by many but was also considered a serious art form in horticulture. Today, bonzai tree exhibits and shows, bonzai stores, bonzai auctions all abound in the West.
Many people mistakenly think that a bonsai tree is a naturally small plant or some kind of a special plant when in fact a bonsai tree is an average tree or plant that has been trained to retain its small size.
Bonzai trees are not limited to just small trees or plants, you may find large trees as well that have been shaped using the art of bonzai. They still go through the same stages of growth each season. A bonsai tree bears flowers or fruits and shed leaves just like its normal-sized counterpart.
It is important for every beginner to understand that the major key to cultivating a bonzai is pruning or triming, this is the technique which allows the tree to stay small. If you do not prune your bonzai regularly the tree will grow to its normal height and size.
The roots of a bonzai tree must be pruned annually so that it will remain healthy. When the roots are pruned, it produces a tiny dense ball or pack of root that allows it to be transplanted to a suitable container. In root pruning, one-third of the roots are removed yearly so that you can introduce new soil and give space for new roots to develop.
The height of a bonsai tree can vary. There are trees that are a few centimeters high and some reaching up to a meter or more.
There are no limitations as long as the bonzai tree is grown in a pot and achieves the image of a full grown tree as it would in nature.
It is important to know that without the proper bonsai tree care, your bonzai tree could go into permanent dormancy. Although, if your passionate and understand how to grow a bonzai, it will not required 24 hour attention or be complicated. It will eventually come out naturally.
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